He knows that, as is the way of football, he needs to start winning matches to keep his job.

And the amiable boss is determined to change fortunes at Wheatsheaf Park.

But with chairman Matt Boon looking to reduce the playing budget given the return he is seeing from this present crop of players, it a dilemma for Forster who has been in football long enough to know it is results that count and his team must win again soon.

Doubt

A gutsy triumph at Canvey Island on December 5 seems a long time ago given it preceded this present four-game pointless run at Wheatsheaf Park which has thrown any play-off hopes into serious doubt despite there being half a season still to play.

“It’s a harsh business at times but we played much, much better, moved the ball well, created chances but were guilty of switching off too many times and were certainly guilty of conceding a poor winning goal,” said Forster.

“A ball into the box and a runner running off someone and slotting in, well, you are going to lose games if you let that happen and concede goals.

"We can’t keep a clean sheet at the moment.

“As well as we played and as positive as it was, we are still looking for that spark. We are looking for individuals to stand up and grow and swell.

Unlucky

“Unfortunately too many of them aren’t at the moment. Cox’s [Pat Cox] not firing on all cylinders as he should be and there are others too. He might have scored but we can’t keep saying 'unlucky, unlucky, unlucky'. There has to be a harsh reality from losing games and learning from that. There is a positivity to it but the end result is a loss.

“But we have to keep going. We [with Graham Abercrombie and Martyn Spong] are still committed to turning things around. We still have half a season left to play.

“We have to find that formula and put that little run together.”

Michael Kalu and Ahmed Abdulla reduced to a watching brief in the stands (Image: Steve McCarthy)

Making Ahmed Abdulla and Michael Kalu available for loan is the first step to changing things around.

Forster added: “We need to get a reaction. Michael has done well in fits and starts but not consistently enough so we have made the decision he is available for a loan or a permanent move and the same with Abs [Ahmed Abdulla].

Character

“Abs is a quite a vocal and liked character in the group but unfortunately we can’t win games of football with that and we’ve told them both that their time is going to be limited so it’s best we try and put them out on loan.

"It’s a straightforward football decision. Neither of them has created any problem for us.”

“Joe came in an played well. We needed him. But we have another issue now with Pursey. It just seems to be one thing after another.”

Happy

O’Cearuill, who helped make the equaliser with a fantastic block tackle, added: “It’s been a long time [since playing]. I’m buzzing to be back to be honest. I’m just happy to be out there and there’s nothing better than the team scoring a goal. The injury is almost healed but I just have to play now.

"We are gutted about the result but something will drop for us. "You couldn’t fault the effort but we couldn’t take our chances.

“We have a few young boys and we just have to learn not to switch off like we did, which is frustrating.”